The Penn's Grove record., 1887-03-12
A SKETCH
HI LIFE AND MINISTRY
OF THE LATE
Rev. Gi1dOn E1Vin.

Gildon Elvin was born on October
Sth, 1854 at Toymtun, All Saints, IN
| Lincolnshire, England. His parents
names were Sarah and Richard Elyiu.
When the child was fifteen months
old the tather died leaving the mother
| and child ]unproyided for. The moth
er placed the child with her parents
and took a situation as chIld's upper
nurse for Il high family in Hull, York
shire. The mother came home on
October 9th, 1857 to celebrate the
child's birthday. On the Sth her moth
Ell was taken sick and she staid with
her until she died on November 9Th.
The mother then went back TO Hull to
give up her situation as she intended
20 keep her fathers house but Mr.. and
Mrs. Holden could not think of part
ing with her and they offered to take
her child and educate him with their
own if the mother would stay with
them. She accepted the offer and both
remained with the famil" nine years.
His first education was under the
direction Of the family ~governess. JAN
uary LIST 1866, when eleven years old he
entered a school at EllOughton, near
Brough, Yorkshire, where he pursued
The rough hill of knowledge with much
perseverance and rose rapidly in schol-
arly standing and in conduct until he
quit school. His school reports show
that he always bore a very good con-
duct and although his attention to his
studies was at first, satisfactory, it
grew TO lie very satisfactory as he add
vanced. From an average rank of Sd
in No. 3 class and general rank OF Is
in the whole school he arose gradually
to be second in No. l class and stood
second in the whole school. Malhe-
MATES he had but little liking for and
his reports was not so satisfactory but
he delighted in the study of natural
philosophy and history as his school re
ports show and his preaching in after
life gave evidence. He continued in
his studies until midsummer 1868,
when his school days We're ended and
not yet IA years of age. For one so
young to have learned natural philoso-
ply, euclid and latin gave much evi-
dence of IA very intelligent and scholar
ly mind. Although he never after
wards had the opportunity To go to
school his natural loneliness for books
did much to improve his mind and his
taste for good reading and especially
for scientific works gave him those
broad view OF life and developed those
latent powers that gave originality to
the life and character Of his entire be-
ing.
When he had reach proper age and
knowledge it was intended that lie
should euter his uncle's law office but
the marriage Of his mother to john
Atkinson in February, 1869, turned the
course of his expectations for in May,
the same year, they embarked for
America, and ,eitled in Gloucester
City n. j., whore the mother had a
sister residing. Master Gtidon came
too, as The ni0ther and also tlc step
father, who WAS 'ver attached TO ann
as il he We're his own child, coutl new
er lhink ol lraYIus him bemud. Aboul
the iiist work Gil:lou ever did wa1 to
hrlp his s5ep-tatl er al the Nj. Eptram
mill aud he seemed to ike IL very much.
Ia 1871 The family moved 10 IIaOdun-
heid. Glldon went u Philadelphia 10
learn the mili-wrgnt trade hut only stay
I'd Il short udue as the foremaA WISHED
to lnstil INTO his Young understand
ing the art and ciCnc ut the trade 10y
a very liberal use Of protane language
Gildun did not approve If this SO he LETT.
Being an industrious youth and anxious
to learn a trade he entered tho black.
smith shop of George iule, at lladdon-
iell Oh February 18Th, 1872 where he
worked at his apprenticeship Tor fouG
years, making an average mechanic.
lie afterwards piled his yoea ton one
year at Camden, BarnsbOro, and Med
ford, and then returned TO Tule's shop
where he worked until he began
p%eaching.